Oxidation dye composition for keratin fibers comprising a nonionic amphiphilic polymer

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an oxidation dye composition for keratin fibres, and in particular for human keratin fibres such as the hair, comprising, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one oxidation dye precursor and optionally one or more couplers, characterized in that it also comprises a nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit. The invention also relates to the processes and dyeing devices using the said oxidation dye composition.

The present invention relates to a composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres, and in particular of human keratin fibres such as the hair, comprising at least one oxidation dye precursor and optionally one or more couplers and at least one non ionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit.

It is known to dye keratin fibres, and in particular human hair, with dye compositions containing oxidation dye precursors, which are generally known as “oxidation bases”, in particular ortho- or para-phenylenediamines, ortho- or para-aminophenols and heterocyclic bases.

Oxidation dye precursors are compounds which are initially colourless or only slightly coloured and which develop their dyeing power on the hair in the presence of oxidizing agents, leading to the formation of coloured compounds. The formation of these coloured compounds results either from an oxidative condensation of the “oxidation bases” with themselves or from an oxidative condensation of the “oxidation bases” with colour-modifier compounds, or “couplers”, which are generally present in the dye compositions used in oxidation dyeing and are represented more particularly by meta-phenylenediamines, meta-aminophenols and meta-diphenols and certain heterocyclic compounds.

The variety of molecules used, which consists, on the one hand, of “oxidation bases” and, on the other hand, of “couplers”, makes it possible to obtain a wide variety of colours.

In order to localize the oxidation dye product on the hair when it is applied, in order for it not to run onto the face or outside the areas which it is proposed to dye, use has been made hitherto of traditional thickeners such as crosslinked polyacrylic acid, hydroxyethylcelluloses or waxes or alternatively mixtures of nonionic surfactants with an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) which, when suitably selected, gives rise to the gelling effect when they are diluted with water and/or surfactants.

However, the Applicant has observed that the ingredients of the traditional thickener, surfactant and solvent type generally curb the rise of the dye on the fibres, which is reflected in a dull shade and also in a larger use of dye, of solvent and/or of surfactants in order to dissolve the dye, if it is nevertheless desired to obtain and intense shade.

Moreover, the Applicant has also observed that after mixing with the oxidant, dye compositions containing the oxidation dye precursor or precursors and optionally the coupler or couplers, and also the said ingredients, lose some of their gelled nature and consequently give rise to undesirable running.

After considerable research conducted in this matter, the Applicant has now discovered that it is possible to obtain oxidation dye compositions (after mixing with the oxidants) which do not run and thus remain better localized at the point of application, and which also make it possible to obtain more intense or more chromatic (more luminous) shades, if an effective amount of a nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit is introduced (i) either into the composition containing the oxidation dye precursor or precursors and optionally the coupler or couplers [or composition (A)], or (ii) into the oxidizing compositions [or composition (B)], or (iii) into both compositions at once.

For the purposes of the present invention, the chromaticity (luminosity) is defined by the value c* in the L*, a*, b* calorimetric notation system of the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (C.I.E.). This value is equal to the square route of the sum a²+b² (+a is red, −a is green, +b is yellow, −b is blue) . The shade is proportionately more luminous the greater the value of c*.

In this notation system, L* defines the intensity of the shade. The shade is proportionately more intense the lower the value of L* (0=black, 100=white).

These discoveries form the basis of the present invention.

The subject of the present invention is thus a composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres, in particular human keratin fibres such as the hair, of the type comprising, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one oxidation dye precursor (oxidation base) and, where appropriate, one or more couplers, which is characterized in that it also contains at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, with the proviso that the nonionic amphiphilic polymer is other than:

-   (a) a copolymer of polyethylene glycol (containing 20 EO) ether of     stearyl alcohol and of one or more lower acrylic acid esters and/or     lower methacrylic acid esters, -   (b) a copolymer of polyalkylene glycol ether of C₁₆-C₂₂ alcohol and     of one or more esters of C₁₆-C₂₂ carboxylic acid.

By means of the present invention, it is also possible, advantageously, to reduce the consumption of surfactants, or even to dispense with them altogether.

The invention also makes it possible to decrease the amount of active dyestuffs used in the dye compositions, when compared with the standard techniques known in the prior art.

Another subject of the present invention relates to a ready-to-use composition for dyeing keratin fibres, which contains at least one oxidation dye precursor and optionally at least one coupler, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit as defined above, and an oxidizing agent.

The invention is also directed towards a process for dyeing keratin fibres, and in particular human keratin fibres such as the hair, which consists in applying to these fibres at least one composition (A1) containing, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one oxidation dye precursor and optionally at least one coupler, in combination with at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit as defined above, the colour being developed at alkaline, neutral or acidic pH using an oxidizing agent which is mixed with the composition (A1) only at the time of use or which is present in a composition (B1) that is applied sequentially without intermediate rinsing.

The invention is also directed towards a variant of this process, which consists in applying to the fibres at least one composition (A2) containing, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, at least one oxidation dye precursor and optionally at least one coupler, in the presence or absence of nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit as defined above, the colour being developed at alkaline, neutral or acidic pH using an oxidizing composition (B2) which contains an oxidizing agent and an effective amount of at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit as defined above, and which is mixed with the composition (A2) only at the time of use or which is applied sequentially without intermediate rinsing.

The subject of the invention is also multi-compartment “kits” or devices for dyeing, a first compartment of which contains at least one oxidation dye precursor, optionally at least one coupler and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit as defined above, and a second compartment of which contains an oxidizing agent.

According to another variant, the subject of the invention is also multi-compartment kits or devices for dyeing, a first compartment of which contains at least one oxidation aye precursor, optionally at least one coupler, in the presence or absence of nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit as defined above, and a second compartment of which contains an oxidizing agent and an effective amount of at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit as defined above.

The invention also relates to the use of the oxidation dyeing composition defined above or to the use of a multi-compartment kit or device for dyeing as defined above for dyeing human keratin fibres such as the hair.

However, other characteristics, aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will become even more apparent on reading the description and the examples which follow.

The nonionic amphiphilic polymers containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, which are used according to the invention, are preferably chosen From:

-   (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty     chain;     mention may be made, for example, of:     -   hydroxyethyl celluloses modified with groups containing at least         one fatty chain such as alkyl, arylalkyl or alkylaryl groups or         mixtures thereof, and in which the alkyl groups are preferably         C₈-C₂₂, such as the product Natrosol Plus Grade 330 CS (C₁₅         alkyls) sold by the company Aqualon, or the product Bermocoll         EHM 100 sold by the company Berol Nobel,     -   those modified with polyalkylene glycol alkylphenyl ether         groups, such as the product Amercell Polymer HM-1500         (polyethylene glycol (15) nonylphenyl ether) sold by the company         Amerchol. -   (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one     fatty chain, such as the product Esaflor HM 22 (C₂₂ alkyl chain)     sold by the company Lamberti, and the products Miracare XC95-3 (C₁₄     alkyl chain) and RE205-1 (C₂₀ alkyl chain) sold by the company     Rhône-Poulenc. -   (3) polyether urethanes containing at least one fatty chain such as     C₈-C₃₀ alkyl or alkenyl groups, for instance the products Dapral     T210 and Dapral T212 sold by the company Akzo. -   (4) copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and of hydrophobic monomers     containing a fatty chain;     mention may be made, for example, of:     -   the products Antaron V216 or Ganex V216         (vinylpyrrolidone/hexadecene copolymer) sold by the company ISP     -   the products Antaron V220 or Ganex V220         (vinylpyrrolidone/eicosene copolymer) sold by the company ISP. -   (5) copolymers of C₁-C₆ alkyl methacrylates or acrylates and of     amphiphilic monomers containing at least one fatty chain, such as,     for example, the oxyethylenated methyl methacrylate/stearyl acrylate     copolymer sold by the company Goldschmidt under the name Antil 208. -   (6) copolymers of hydrophilic methacrylates or acrylates and of     hydrophobic monomers containing at least one fatty chain, such as,     for example, the polyethylene glycol methacrylate/lauryl     methacrylate copolymer.

The nonionic amphiphilic polymers containing at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit according to the invention are preferably used in an amount which may range approximately from 0.05 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the dye composition applied to the fibres. More preferably, this amount varies approximately from 0.2 to 5% by weight.

The oxidation dye precursors which may be used in the context of the present invention are chosen from those conventionally known in oxidation dyeing, and among which mention may be made in particular of:

-   -   para-phenylenediamines of formula (I) below, and the addition         salts thereof with an acid:         in which:

-   R₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄     monohydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₄ polyhydroxyalkyl or 4′-aminophenyl radical,

-   R₂ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₄ alkyl,     C₁-C-₄-monohydroxyalkyl or C₂-C₄ polyhydroxyalkyl radical,

-   R₃ represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom such as a chlorine     atom, or a C₁-C₄ alkyl, sulpho, carboxyl, C₁-C₄ monohydroxyalkyl or     C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkoxy radical,

-   R₄ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical.

Among the para-phenylenediamines of formula (I) above, mention may be made more particularly of para-phenylenediamine, para-toluylenediamine, 2-chloro-para-phenylenediamine, 2,3-dimethyl-para-phenylene-diamine, 2,6-dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,6-diethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,5-dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-diethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-dipropyl-para-phenylenediamine, 4-amino-N,N-diethyl-3-methyl-aniline, N,N-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-para-phenylenediamine, 4-amino-N,N-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylaniline, 4-amino-3-chloro-N,N-bis(β-hydroxy-ethyl)aniline, 2-β-hydroxyethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-fluoro-para-phenylenediamine, 2-isopropyl-para-phenylenediamine, N-(β-hydroxypropyl)-para-phenylene-diamine, 2-hydroxymethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-dimethyl-3-methyl-para-phenylenediamine, N-ethyl-N-(β-hydroxyethyl)-para-phenylenediamine, N-(β,γ-dihydroxy-propyl)-para-phenylenediamine, N-(4′-aminophenyl)-para-phenylenediamine, N-phenyl-para-phenylenediamine and 2-β-hydroxyethyloxy-para-phenylene-diamine, and the addition salts thereof with an acid.

Among the para-phenylenediamines of formula (I) above, para-phenylenediamine, para-toluylene-diamine, 2-isopropyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-β-hydroxyethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2-β-hydroxy-ethyloxy-para-phenylenediamine, 2,6-dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,6-diethyl-para-phenylenediamine, 2,3-dimethyl-para-phenylenediamine, N,N-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-para-phenylenediamine and 2-chloro-para-phenylenediamine, and the addition salts thereof with an acid are most particularly preferred.

-   -   the bis(phenyl)alkylenediamines corresponding to formula (II)         below, and the addition salts thereof with an acid:         in which:

-   Q₁ an Q₂, which may be identical or different, represent a hydroxyl     radical or a radical NHR₈ in which R₈ represents a hydrogen atom or     a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical,

-   R₅ represents a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ monohydroxyalkyl     or C₂-C₄ polyhydroxy alkyl radical or a C₁-C₄ aminoalkyl radical in     which the amino residue may be substituted,

-   R₆ and R₇, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen     or halogen atom or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical,

-   W represents a radical taken from the group consisting of the     following radicals:     in which n is an integer between 0 and 8 inclusive and m is an     integer between 0 and 4 inclusive.

Among the bis(phenyl)alkylenediamines of formula (II) above, mention may be made more particularly of N,N′-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-N,N′-bis(4′-aminophenyl)-1,3-diamino-2-propanol, N,N′-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-N,N′-bis-(4′-aminophenyl)ethylene-diamine, N,N′-bis(4-aminophenyl)tetramethylenediamine, N,N′-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-N,N′-bis(4-aminophenyl)tetra-methylenediamine, N,N′-bis(4-methylaminophenyl)tetra-methylenediamine and N,N′-bis(ethyl)-N,N′-bis(4′-amino-3′-methylphenyl)ethylenediamine, and the addition salts thereof with an acid.

Among these bis(phenyl)alkylenediamines of formula (II), N,N′-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)-N,N′-bis(4p′-aminophenyl)-1,3-diamino-2-propanol or one of the addition salts thereof with an acid is particularly preferred.

-   -   the para-aminophenols corresponding to formula (III) below, and         the addition salts thereof with an acid:         in which

-   R₉ represents a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄     monohydroxyalkyl, (C₁-₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl, C₁-C₄ aminoalkyl or     hydroxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl amino(C₁-C₄)alkyl radical,

-   R₁₀ represents a hydrogen or fluorine atom or a C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄     monohydroxyalkyl, C₂-C₄ polyhydroxy-alkyl, C₁-C₄ aminoalkyl, C₁-C₄     cyanoalkyl or (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl radical,

-   it being understood that at least one of the radicals R₉ or R₁₀     represents a hydrogen atom.

Among the para-aminophenols of formula (III) above, mention may be made more particularly of para-aminophenyl, 4-amino-3-methylphenol, 4-amino-3-fluoro-phenol, 4-amino-3-hydroxymethylphenol, 4-amino-2-methylphenol, 4-amino-2-hydroxymethylphenol, 4-amino-2-methoxymethylphenol, 4-amino-2-aminomethylphenol and 4-amino-2-(β-hydroxyethylaminomethyl)phenol, and the addition salts thereof with an acid.

-   -   the ortho-aminophenols which may be used as oxidation bases in         the context of the present invention are chosen in particular         from 2-aminophenol, 2-amino-1-hydroxy-5-methylbenzene,         2-amino-1-hydroxy-6-methyl-benzene and         5-acetamido-2-aminophenol, and the addition salts thereof with         an acid.     -   the heterocyclic bases which may be used as oxidation bases in         the context of the present invention are chosen in particular         from pyridine derivatives, pyrimidine derivatives and pyrazole         derivatives, and the addition salts thereof with an acid.

Among the pyridine derivatives, mention may be made more particularly of the compounds described, for example, in patents GB-1,026,978 and GB-1,153,196, such as 2,5-diaminopyridine, and the addition salts thereof with an acid.

Among the pyrimidine derivatives, mention may be made more particularly of the compounds described, for example, in German patent DE-2,359,399 or Japanese patents JP-88-169,571 and JP-91-333,495, such as 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine and 4-hydroxy-2,5,6-tri-aminopyrimidine, and the addition salts thereof with an acid.

Among the pyrazole derivatives, mention may be made more particularly of compounds described in patents DE-3,843,892 and DE-4,133,957 and patent applications WO-94/08969 and WO-94/08970, such as 4,5-diamino-1-methylpyrazole, 3,4-diaminopyrazole and 4,5-diamino-1-(4′-chlorobenzyl)pyrazole, and the addition salts thereof with an acid.

According to the invention, the oxidation base or bases preferably represent from 0.0005 to 12% by weight approximately relative to the total weight of the composition (A) and even more preferably from 0.005 to 6% by weight approximately.

The couplers which may be used in the dyeing process according to the invention are those conventionally used in oxidation dye compositions, that is to say meta-phenylenediamines, meta-aminophenols and meta-diphenols, mono- or polyhydroxynaphthalene derivatives, sesamol and derivatives thereof and heterocyclic compounds such as, for example, indole couplers, indoline couplers and pyridine couplers, and the addition salts thereof with an acid.

These couplers may be chosen in particular from 2-methyl-5-aminophenol, 5-N-(β-hydroxyethyl)amino-2-methylphenol, 3-aminophenol, 1,3-dihydroxybenzene, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 4-chloro-1,3-dihydroxy-benzene, 2,4-diamino-1-(β-hydroxyethyloxy)benzene, 2-amino-4-(β-hydroxyethylamino)-1-methoxybenzene, 1,3-diaminobenzene, 1,3-bis(2,4-diaminophenoxy)propane, sesamol, α-naphthol, 6-hydroxyindole, 4-hydroxyindole, 4-hydroxy-N-methylindole, 6-hydroxyindoline, 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methylpyridine, 1-H-3-methylpyrazol-5-one and 1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazol-5-one, and the addition salts thereof with an acid.

When they are present, these couplers preferably represent from 0.0001 to 10% by weight approximately relative to the total weight of the composition (A) and even more preferably from 0.005 to 5% by weight approximately.

In general, the addition salts with an acid of the oxidation bases and couplers are chosen in particular from the hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulphates, tartrates, lactates and acetates.

The composition (A) may also contain, in addition to the oxidation dye precursors defined above and the optional associated couplers, direct dyes in order to enrich the shades with glints. These direct dyes may be chosen in particular from nitro dyes, azo dyes or anthraquinone dyes.

The composition (A) and/or the composition (B) may also more particularly contain at least one cationic or amphoteric substantive polymer as defined on pages 3 and 4 of patent application EP-0,673,641 A1, and of which it is advantageously preferred to use:

-   -   the quaternary polyammonium polymers prepared and described in         French patent 2,270,846, consisting of repeating units         corresponding to formula (IV) below:         and the molecular weight of which, determined bv gel permeation         chromatography, is between 9500 and 9900;     -   the quaternary polyammonium polymers prepared and described in         French patent 2,270,846, consisting of repeating units         corresponding to formula (V) below:         and the molecular weight of which, determined by gel permeation         chromatography, is about 1200.

The medium for composition (A) which is suitable for dyeing is preferably an aqueous medium consisting of water and may optionally contain cosmetically acceptable organic solvents including, more particularly, alcohols such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol or phenylethyl alcohol, or glycols or glycol ethers such as, for example, ethylene glycol monomethyl, monoethyl and monobutyl ethers, propylene glycol or ethers thereof such as, for example, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and diethylene glycol alkyl ethers such as, for example, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether or monobutyl ether, in concentrations of approximately between 0.5 and 20% and, preferably, approximately between 2 and 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition (A) may also contain an effective amount of other agents, which are moreover previously known in oxidation dyeing, such as various common adjuvants, for instance sequestering agents, hair conditioners, silicones, preserving agents, opacifiers, etc., and optionally anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants or mixtures thereof.

The said composition may also contain antioxidants. These may be chosen in particular from sodium sulphite, thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, sodium bisulphite, dehydroasorbic acid, hydroquinone, 2-methylhydroquinone, tert-butylhydroquinone and homogentisic acid, and they are then generally present in amounts ranging approximately from 0.05 to 1.5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

Obviously, a person skilled in the art will take care to select the optional complementary compound or compounds mentioned above such that the advantageous properties intrinsically associated with the dye composition according to the invention are not, or are not substantially, adversely affected by the addition or additions envisaged.

In the composition (B), the oxidizing agent is preferably chosen from urea peroxide, alkali metal bromates or ferricyanides, and persalts such as perborates and persulphates. The use of hydrogen peroxide is particularly preferred.

The composition (B) advantageously consists of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution whose titre may range, more particularly, approximately from 2.5 to 40 volumes and, even more preferably, approximately from 5 to 20 volumes.

The pH of the ready-to-use composition applied to the keratin fibres [composition resulting from mixing together the dye composition (A) and the oxidizing composition (B)] is generally between the values 4 and 11. It is preferably between 6 and 10, and may be adjusted to the desired value by means of acidifying or basifying agents that are well known in the state of the art in the dyeing of keratin fibres.

Among the basifying agents which may be mentioned, by way of example, are aqueous ammonia, alkali metal carbonates, alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamines and derivatives thereof, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the compounds of formula (VI) below:

in which R is a propylene residue optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical; R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅ and R₁₆, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl radical.

The acidifying agents are conventionally, by way of example, inorganic or organic acids such as hydrochloric acid, orthophosphoric acid, carboxylic acids such as tartaric acid, citric acid or lactic acid, or sulphonic acids.

The dyeing process according to the invention preferably consists in applying a mixture, which is prepared as required at the time of use from the compositions (A) and (B) described above, onto the dry or wet keratin fibres and in leaving the mixture to act for an exposure period preferably ranging from 1 to 60 minutes approximately, and more preferably from 10 to 45 minutes approximately, in rinsing the fibres, then in optionally washing them with shampoo and then rinsing them again and drying them.

Concrete examples illustrating the invention will now be given without, however, being limiting in nature.

EXAMPLE 1

The following dye composition, in accordance with the invention, was prepared: NATROSOL PLUS GRADE 330 CS (Aqualon) 1.0 g Oleic acid 3.0 g Aqueous sodium bisulphite solution containing 0.45 g AM* 35% AM* Para-phenylenediamine 0.162 g Resorcinol 0.165 g Aqueous ammonia (20% NH₃) 11.5 g Sequestering agent q.s Water q.s.p. 100 g AM* = active material

At the time of use, this composition was mixed weight for weight with a 20-volumes aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and the mixture obtained was then applied to locks of permanent-waved hair containing 90% white hairs. After leaving to stand on the locks for 30 minutes, they were rinsed and then washed with a shampoo, rinsed again and then dried.

Using an I.C.S. spectrocolorimeter, the value L* in the L*, a*, b* international colour notation system from C.I.E. was measured.

The result was as follows: L*=32.19

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

Example 1 was repeated, replacing 1 gram of nonionic amphiphilic polymer (Natrosol Plus Grade 330 CS) by the mixture of the following two nonionic surfactants (allowing the same viscosity to be Obtained)

-   24 grams of decyl alcohol (C₁₀-C₁₂-C₁₄/85-8.5-6.5) oxyethylenated     with 3.5 mol of ethylene oxide, sold under the name Mergital BL 309     by the company Henkel, and -   16 grams of decyl alcohol (C₁₀-C₁₂-C₁₄/85-8.5-6.5) oxyethylenated     with 5.5 mol of ethylene oxide, sold under the name Mergital BL 589     by the company Henkel.

The same procedure as in Example 1 was then followed.

The result was as follows: L*=35.72

Conclusion: the shade obtained according to the invention is more intense (lower L*) than that obtained according to the prior art. 

1-29. (canceled)
 30. A composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain.
 31. A composition according to claim 30, wherein said composition further contains a medium suitable for dyeing.
 32. A composition according to claim 31, wherein said human keratin fibres are human hair.
 33. A composition according to claim 32, wherein said celluloses are hydroxyethyl celluloses modified with groups containing at least one group chosen from alkyl, arylalkyl, and alkylaryl.
 34. A composition according to claim 33, wherein said hydroxyethyl celluloses contain at least one C₈-C₂₂ alkyl group.
 35. A composition according to claim 32, wherein said celluloses contain at least one polyalkylene glycol alkylphenyl ether group.
 36. A composition according to claim 32, wherein said at least one oxidation dye precursor is chosen from ortho- and para-phenylenediamines, bis(phenyl)alkylenediamines, ortho- and para-aminophenols, heterocyclic bases, and acid addition salts thereof.
 37. A composition according to claim 32, wherein said at least one oxidation dye precursor is present in concentrations ranging from 0.0005 to 12% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
 38. A composition according to claim 30, wherein said composition further contains at least one coupler.
 39. A composition according to claim 38, wherein said at least one coupler is chosen from meta-phenylenediamines, meta-aminophenols, meta-diphenols, heterocyclic couplers, and acid addition salts thereof.
 40. A composition according to claim 39, wherein said at least one coupler is present in concentrations ranging from 0.0001 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
 41. A composition according to claim 39, wherein said acid addition salts are chosen from hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulphates, tartrates, lactates, and acetates.
 42. A composition according to claim 36, wherein said acid addition salts are chosen from hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulphates, tartrates, lactates, and acetates.
 43. A composition according to claim 31, wherein said composition further comprises at least one direct dye.
 44. A composition according to claim 31, wherein said composition further comprises at least one additional polymer chosen from cationic and amphoteric substantive polymers.
 45. A composition according to claim 44, wherein said at least one additional polymer is a quaternary polyammonium polymer comprising repeating units corresponding to formula (IV) below:

and wherein the molecular weight of said at least one additional polymer, determined by gel chromatography, ranges from 9500 to
 9900. 46. A composition according to claim 44, wherein said at least one additional polymer is a quaternary polyammonium polymer comprising repeating units corresponding to formula (V) below:

and wherein the molecular weight of said at least one additional polymer, determined by gel chromatography, is about
 1200. 47. A composition according to claim 31, wherein said composition further comprises at least one reducing agent which is present in an amount ranging from 0.05 to 3% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
 48. A composition according to claim 31, wherein said composition further comprises an oxidizing agent.
 49. A composition according to claim 48, wherein said composition has a pH ranging from 4 to
 11. 50. A composition according to claim 48, wherein said oxidizing agent is chosen from hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, alkali metal bromates and ferricyanides, and persalts.
 51. A composition according to claim 50, wherein said oxidizing agent is an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution having a titre ranging from 2.5 to 40 volumes.
 52. A composition according to claim 51, wherein said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer is present in an amount ranging from 0.05 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
 53. A composition according to claim 52, wherein said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer is present in an amount ranging from 0.2 to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
 54. A process for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising the steps of: applying to said fibres a composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain; and applying an oxidizing agent to said fibres in alkaline, neutral or acidic medium to develop color.
 55. A process according to claim 54, wherein said keratin fibres are human hair.
 56. A composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising: a dye composition comprising: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain; and an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing composition does not contain any of said nonionic amphiphilic polymer.
 57. A composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising: a dye composition comprising: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain; and an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent, wherein said oxidizing composition further comprises at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from:  (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and  (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain.
 58. A process for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising the steps of: applying to said fibres at least one composition comprising, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain; and applying an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent to said fibres in alkaline, neutral, or acidic medium to develop color, wherein said oxidizing composition does not contain any of said nonionic amphiphilic polymer.
 59. A process according to claim 58, wherein said keratin fibres are human hair.
 60. A multi-compartment kit for dyeing keratin fibres comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein said first compartment contains a composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain; and wherein said second compartment contains an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent in a medium which is suitable for dyeing.
 61. A multi-compartment kit or device according to claim 60, wherein said keratin fibres are human hair.
 62. A multi-compartment kit for dyeing keratin fibres comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein said first compartment contains a composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain; and wherein said second compartment contains an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent used in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, wherein said oxidizing composition does not contain any of said nonionic amphiphilic polymer.
 63. A ready-to-use composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising: at least one oxidation dye precursor, at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain; and an oxidizing agent.
 64. A process for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising the steps of: applying to said fibres at least one composition comprising, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain; and applying an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent to said fibres in alkaline, neutral, or acidic medium to develop color, wherein said oxidizing composition further comprises at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain.
 65. A process according to claim 64, wherein said keratin fibres are human hair.
 66. A multi-compartment kit for dyeing keratin fibres comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein said first compartment contains a composition for the oxidation dyeing of keratin fibres comprising: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain; and wherein said second compartment contains an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent used in a medium which is suitable for dyeing, wherein said oxidizing composition further comprises at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer comprising at least one fatty chain and at least one hydrophilic unit, said at least one nonionic amphiphilic polymer being chosen from: (1) celluloses modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain, and (2) hydroxypropyl guars modified with groups containing at least one fatty chain. 